One On One

Summer baseball games, year round school, commuting, volunteer projects, personal projects, housework, meals on the table in a somewhat timely manner . . . whatever happened to the lazy days of summer? If your hectic schedule has you running around like a chicken without a head, then you're probably not spending as much time as you'd like to with your kids or spouse. It's time to multi-task.

         Some errands just have to get done, no matter how crazy your life is: grocery shopping, post office, returning the library books or video rentals, filling up the gas tank, and so forth. Capitalize on these moments to bring along one of your children. You'll have some one-on-one time together to talk, laugh, and mostly get to know each other better. Each month, assign each child (and spouse) a week to be the "tag-along" to go along with Mom or Dad on any errands. They'll get to talk without interruptions or competition from siblings.

         If running errands is something you simply prefer to do alone, perhaps you can assign one day a month for a "daddy-daughter" date or a 'mom-n-son' outing. Mix it up so that every person gets alone time with the parents. Use this time to play basketball, go to a play or a movie, enjoy an ice-cream cone, take a walk, explore a museum, or read a book together.

         One-on-one time definitely deepens bonds, builds trust, and creates loving memories that will all work to strengthen your family as a whole. Plus that gnawing feeling that your kids are growing up to fast and you're missing it will subside somewhat!


--Share your Family Fun-Time Ideas with us by sending them to Desi@DVO.com --